Coming off Red Bull win, Fire prepare for tough Houston test

MEN IN RED LOOK TO BUILD ON MOMENTUM FROM FIRST VICTORY OF THE SEASON; FACE TWO-TIME MLS CUP CHAMPION HOUSTON DYNAMO

After earning their first win of the season with a dominant 3-1 victory over the New York Red Bulls Sunday afternoon, the Chicago Fire (1-3-1, 4 points) head west to take on the Houston Dynamo (3-2-0, 9 points) at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston, Texas on Sunday, April 14 at 4:00 p.m. CT (UniMas/La Ley 107.9).

This is the first of three meetings between the Fire and Dynamo this season. The Fire will again head to Houston for the second leg of the series on Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 p.m. CT (NBC Sports Network/La Ley 107.9) and will host the final leg of the series at Toyota Park on Sunday, Sept. 1 at 4:00 p.m. CT (UniMas/La Ley 107.9).

The Fire met the Dynamo in the first match of the 2013 Carolina Challenge Cup preseason tournament. Goals from Sherjill MacDonald, Dilly Duka and Jeff Larentowicz were sandwiched between Dynamo goals by Adam Moffat and Cam Weaver as the Fire opened the tournament with a 3-2 victory on Feb. 16.

The two squads met four times during the 2012 season. The Fire held the edge in the regular season series with a 1-0-2 record. Logan Pause’s deflected goal in the 27th minute earned the Men in Red a point in a rain-shortened match April 15 at Toyota Park. The Fire earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Houston July 3. In the final leg of the series, Patrick Nyarko’s goal in the 47th second combined with strikes from Daniel Paladini and Alex to lift the Fire to a 3-1 victory Sept. 2 at Toyota Park. In the Eastern Conference Knockout Match, Alex’s 83rd minute strike wasn’t enough to overcome a Will Bruin brace as the Dynamo knocked the Fire out of the playoffs on Oct. 31.

The Dynamo enter the match after falling 2-0 to the Portland Timbers at JELD-WEN Field in Portland, Ore. on Saturday, April 6.

*Training will take place on the Toyota Park Practice Field unless otherwise noted

^Times are approximate and subject to change. Fire players and coaches will be made available following training. Please contact the Chicago Fire Communications Department for updated times and locations. Please contact Eunice Kim at 770.643.7636 for media requests.

CHICAGO FIRE vs. Houston Dynamo

· The Fire hold a 4-6-5 all-time regular season record against the Dynamo, including a 2-3-2 record in matches played on the road.

· The Fire have only played once at BBVA Compass Stadium, a 0-0 draw July 3, 2012.

· Current Dynamo forward Calen Carr began his professional career as a member of the Fire. Drafted in the first round (10th overall) of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft, Carr made 82 regular season appearances, scoring nine goals and adding three assists across five seasons.

· Two Fire players are Texas products. Defender Hunter Jumper, who notched an assist in his first professional start Sunday against the Red Bulls, and midfielder Corben Bone, who made his 2013 season debut Sunday when he entered the match in the 87th minute, are both Plano, Texas natives

· Sunday marked the 100th career MLS Regular Season appearance for the Fire’s Estonian midfielder Joel Lindpere and the 150th MLS Regular Season appearance for Fire forward Chris Rolfe.

· Fire captain Logan Pause made his first appearance of the 2013 season in Sunday’s match. Pause missed the first three matches of the year with a quadriceps injury and was an unused sub in the team’s 4-1 defeat to Chivas March 24.

· Maicon Santos’ goal in the 83rd minute was the 700th MLS Regular Season goal for the Fire. His 89th minute strike marked the fourth multi-goal game of his MLS career.

· Sunday’s match marked the first multi-point game in Daniel Paladini’s MLS career. The Northridge, Calif. product was involved in all three of the Fire’s goals, scoring the equalizer and assisting on the second and third Fire goals in the 3-1 victory over the Red Bulls.

CHICAGO FIRE DEFEAT NEW YORK RED BULLS 3-1 FOR FIRST VICTORY OF 2013 SEASON

The Chicago Fire defeated Eastern Conference foes New York Red Bulls 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Toyota Park. The Red Bulls found an early, 17th minute goal from Jamison Olave but the Fire were propelled by a Daniel Paladini equalizer and Maicon Santos brace for their first victory of the 2013 season.

The visitors opened scoring in the 17th minute when Juninho’s corner kick found Tim Cahill at the far post. The Australian headed the ball across the goal to Jamison Olave. With his back towards goal, the Colombian defender volleyed the into the side netting to put Red Bull ahead 1-0.

The Fire looked to catch a break in the 24th minute when Jonny Steele was called for handball in the penalty box after Jeff Larentowicz’s long-range effort knocked the Northern Irishman’s hand. Rolfe lined up the ensuing penalty kick but pushed his effort went wide left of goal.

The Fire found the equalizer minutes before halftime. Hunter Jumper pounced on a weak Red Bulls clearance on the left flank and swung a cross into the six-yard-box. Paladini shook his defender and got on the end of the cross, snapping his header down ahead of Red Bull ‘keeper Luis Robles for the 44th minute equalizer.

In the 69th minute, second half substitute Thierry Henry carried the ball to the top of the arc and unleashed a left-footed blast from that rattled the post. Peguy Luyindula was unable to connect with the rebound and the Fire defense cleared the ball out to safety.

The Fire scored the game-winner in the 83rd minute. Paladini won the ball in the center circle and played Maicon Santos into the box on the left. The crafty Brazilian received the ball, cut it back losing his defender, and coolly side-footed under Robles into the goal.

Santos completed his brace in the 89th minute. Paladini took the Fire free kick 40 yards from goal and found Larentowicz at the far post. The midfielder headed it across the face of goal to Santos, who tapped it for a final score of 3-1.

CHICAGO FIRE TO HOST THIRD ANNUAL ART OF FUTBOL EVENT
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club will showcase artwork from Chicagoland artists who submitted original pieces that celebrate the beautiful game of soccer at the Third Annual Art of Futbol event at the Society Art Gallery (2140 W. Fulton Street, Chicago, IL 60612) on Thursday, May 16 from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. CT.

Hosted by the Chicago Fire Foundation, the club has put out a call to Chicagoland artists looking for original works that celebrate the game of soccer and everything it represents. Soccer is a game that permeates all aspects of our city, encompassing varied views and opposing opinions. The Art of Futbol provides an opportunity for artists to share their vision with the local community.

Artists interested in creating and submitting original artwork can email up to three JPEG files to artoffutbol@chicago-fire.com. Additional information on submitting artwork can be found here. Tickets for the event, which start at $25 and benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation, can be purchased here.

CHICAGO FIRE SEASON AND INDIVIDUAL TICKETS ON SALE

Individual single game tickets for the club’s 16th MLS season at Toyota Park are now on sale.

One of the most affordable live events in the Chicagoland area, single game ticket prices start as low as $20 and can be purchased via Ticketmaster.